The idea is a little like that used by Audi, where you stuff a humongous engine into a fairly light car and make an otherwise average auto into a speedy little road demon.

The big question is whether the millions Honda has invested to develop this new cruiser will translate into salesroom dollars. Honda already has its own Gold Wing, a highly successful long-range touring bike that has been around for nearly 40 years, bowing in 1974 with a 1,000-cc four-cylinder engine and still going strong with a 1,832-cc six-banger.

No word, yet, on when the CTX1300 hits showrooms.

Check out the 2013 model:

Photo: Wieck

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2014 Honda CTX1300.

2014 Honda CTX1300.

Photo: Wieck

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2014 Honda CTX1300.

2014 Honda CTX1300.

Photo: Wieck

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2014 Honda CTX1300.

2014 Honda CTX1300.

Photo: Wieck

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2014 Honda CTX1300.

2014 Honda CTX1300.

Photo: Wieck

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2014 Honda CTX1300.

2014 Honda CTX1300.

Photo: Wieck

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2014 Honda CTX1300.

2014 Honda CTX1300.

Photo: Wieck

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2014 Honda CTX1300.

2014 Honda CTX1300.

Photo: Wieck

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2014 Honda CTX1300.

2014 Honda CTX1300.

Photo: Wieck

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2014 Honda CTX1300.

2014 Honda CTX1300.

Photo: Wieck

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2014 Honda CTX1300.

2014 Honda CTX1300.

Photo: Wieck

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2014 Honda CTX1300.

2014 Honda CTX1300.

Photo: Wieck

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Honda’s new CTX1300 cruiser — a motorcycle to give even Honda’s venerable Gold Wing a run for its money